Plasmodium malariae in East Timor

A community-based rainy-season malaria prevalence survey was conducted in Bobonaro district, in recently independent East Timor, in 2001. Although the survey was primarily aimed at defining the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax, six individuals with P. malariae infection were identified (prevalence 0.57%). We believe these are the first reported cases of P. malariae from the island of Timor.